Gatlin takes down Bolt in Rome Showdown

6/6/2013

INDIANAPOLIS - Justin Gatlin (Orlando, Fla.) put on a thrilling show as he beat two-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt by one hundredth of a second at the Rome Golden Gala, the fifth stop of the 2013 Diamond League series.

Gatlin led the way as five Americans took top honors in their events, and several others set season and personal bests.

Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion and 2012 bronze medalist, battled head-to-head with Bolt as the two ran evenly down the straightaway. Gatlin crossed the line first in 9.94, with Bolt narrowly behind in 9.95. This was the fourth time the pair has raced, and the first time for Gatlin to take the victory.

Johnny Dutch (Clayton, N.C.) won his first Diamond League event of the year as he won the men’s 400m hurdles in 48.31. Olympic silver medalist Javier Culson of Puerto Rico equalled his season best mark of 48.36, but it was not enough to hold off Dutch who has has come out ahead three out of four times when the pair has competed this year.

2008 Olympic gold and 2012 silver medalist Dawn Harper (Los Angeles, Calif.) led an American sweep in the women’s 100m hurdles as she won in 12.65. Lolo Jones (Baton Rouge, La.) was close behind in a season best mark of 12.70. Ginnie Crawford (Culver City, Calif.) and Queen Harrison (Clemson, S.C.) finished third and fourth respectively in 12.90 and 12.92.

It was on her fifth attempt that Olympic champion Brittney Reese (Gulfport, Miss.) secured her win in the women’s long jump to notch her second Diamond League victory of the year in 6.99m/22-11.25. Janay Deloach Soukup (Fort Collins, Colo.) finished second in 6.97m/22-10.5. Reese and Deloach Doukup now own the four best marks in the world this year.

Olympic and World champion Christian Taylor (Loughborough, UK) moved into the lead with his mark of 17.08m/56-0.50 on his fourth attempt and hung on for the win in the men’s triple jump. Daniele Greco of Italy took second in front of his home crowd with a mark of 17.04m/55-11.